Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac&Cheese

Hi everyone! My name is Hayley Mortimore. I love finding new, healthy, and easy recipes. I found this recipe on Pinterest. I liked this recipe because it tastes good and doesn't take long to make.

Taste: This Mac & Cheese was very good and cheese. My favorite part was the spinach.

Ease of Preparation: This recipe was very easy to make. Cooking the noodles is what takes the longest. Making this recipe only takes about 15-20 minutes. This yields 4-5 people. 

Recipe: 

• 8 oz. (about 2 cups) whole wheat elbow pasta
• 8 oz. (about 2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Preparation:

• Cook the macaroni according to the package's instructions.
• Place the spinach leaves in the bottom of a strainer, and pour the pasta over top to drain and wilt the spinach. Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the cooked macaroni and wilted spinach to the pot.
• Add about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pot, and stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in the Greek yogurt, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, until smooth and creamy. Stir in the remaining pasta water to thin, if necessary. Serve immediately. 

Specific Nutritional Value: This meal is low fat and contains vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein. This recipe also has carbohydrates in it.

Calories:           339

Total Fat:         16%

Cholesterol:      11%

Sodium:             12%

Potassium:        18%

Protein:             32%

Carbohydrates: 14%

Vitamin A:         62%

Calcium:            40%

Vitamin C:         14%

Iron:                   14%

Vitamin B-6:      5%

Magnesium:        6%

Functions of Nutrients: Total fats comes from all our sources of fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated are healthy fats that lower your cholesterol. Cholesterol is key for the body to function normally. Sodium helps control blood pressure and regulates the function of muscles and nerves. If too much sodium is consumed your blood pressure will be high. Potassium is an electrolyte and a substance that conducts electricity in the body. Is also a important mineral for proper functions of all cells, tissues, and organs in the body. Protein when broken down are amino acids, which is a source of energy. Carbohydrates provide energy, store energy, builds micro-molecules, and spares protein and fat for other uses. Vitamin A is essential for good vision. Calcium keeps bones and teeth strong. Vitamin C is for growth and repair of tissue in cell parts of the body. Helps heal wounds and maintains bones and teeth. Iron is for blood production. Vitamin B6 is needed for protein and carbohydrates metabolism, the formation of red blood cells, and immune function. Magnesium is an energy productor and regulates diverse biochemical reactions.

Negative Aspect: The negative aspect of my recipe is that there is quite a bit of sodium in this recipe. If you consume too much sodium you will have high blood pressure.

Missing Parts: An important missing food group in my recipe is fruit, there really is no way to incorporate fruit into this dish, but you could always have a side dish of fruit. I could have also added more dairy, by adding some milk or a little bit more cheese. 

Mortimore, H